Cattleya Orchids - 3 Little-Known Tips for Growing Cattleyas

Cultivating orchids such as the cattleya is said to be one of the hardest jobs an orchid grower can get himself into. And this is with valid reasons. Unlike ordinary orchids, this type requires very precise conditions to be successfully grown. And if you have done this the right way you would have one of the most gorgeous types of orchids and at the same time one of the most costly.

Orchids, when categorized according to value and beauty, cattleya orchids will most definitely top the list. That is why no matter how hard and intricate growing cattleya orchids may be, many growers still set out on the journey and try their green thumbs on them.

Knowing the basics of growing orchids will not suffice with this genus of orchid. They have specific needs a grower must follow to ensure success. The fundamental light, water and fertilizer rules do not pertain to this genus of orchid. In fact, because of their "needy" character they were once the orchids that expert growers dubbed as the "untouchables" for newbies. It is said that to grow a cattleya you must know it personally first.

To help you with your journey of intimately knowing this particular orchid, here are 3 well-kept tricks in cultivating them:

Shelter Me

If you wish to successfully cultivate orchids such as cattleyas, then you must have some kind of greenhouse. These orchids are very tough, if not practically impossible, to cultivate outdoors. Yes, there are certain areas, such as some locations in Florida and other nearby states, that they can successfully thrive, but even there they can be very difficult and complicated to handle. Growing them indoors on the other hand, has been found to be rather successful.

Inside structures, such as greenhouses and Wardian cases, the correct moistuire and warmth can be manipulated and therefore attained. For these orchids to thrive properly there must be as much as 60% to 70% humidity during the day and a temperature no lower than 55°F to 60°F. Not creating this certain set of conditions will result in a wilted plant or worse, a dead one.

More Sunlight But Not Too Much

Another delicate part of cultivating cattleya orchids is its light requirements. Compared to your average orchid, they need more light but too much can kill it. The tropical sunlight may be the ideal kind of light for growing these orchids, but in any other places, this kind of orchid cannot take the kind of summer sunlight. If you wish to be successful in growing cattleyas, then you have to follow this simple rule when giving them sunlight. It's a lot of work, but it is very effective.

Place them in direct sunlight during summer only in the mornings and late afternoons. From 11:00AM to 3:00PM, NEVER place them in direct sunlight or they'll burn. If you are finding this difficult to do manually you can try to place them under the shade of a bigger tree or plant. This will give the same protection as moving them manually at specific time periods.

Osmunda - The Perfect Match

When growing orchids that are ephiphytes (like the cattleya orchids), the best choice for a potting medium is osmunda. This potting medium has a lot of fiber, moisture, and is a good source of humidity for an orchid. Like any other orchid, one sure way to destroy it is to over-water it. A good way to know if you are over-watering is your potting medium will start to grow ferns and moss.

When potting, be sure to align the grains of the osmunda parallel to the axis of the pot. This will aid in the proper drainage of water. Never ever use too much osmunda; just enough fiber from this medium will ensure that the roots of your cattleyas will be thriving.

Keep in mind when cultivating orchids like cattleyas, be sure to follow these easy little-known tricks to ensure your success. Cattleyas are one of the most wonderful type of orchids to grow. The are not too difficult, just as long as you follow their certain needs for proper cultivation. These 3 expert tricks should get you headed in the right direction.

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